‘Sailing, SUPing, Swimming, Cycling, and Sun! Mark Warner’s wonderful flagship Levante Beach Resort has it all (and more)! An effortless family holiday that ticks all the right boxes for all ages.’
As a keen skier from an early age I have always flocked to the mountains in the winter months in search of deep powdery snow and an alpine atmosphere. In my early 20’s I have worked in a chalet and ski resorts so am familiar with the Mark Warner brand. But aside from their snowy winter packages, Mark Warner also excel in the summer holiday category to provide the perfect family holiday; whether lazing by the beach or a high-octane activity holiday, Mark Warner ticks the boxes for all the family.
My family holidays as a youngster with my parents always involved a long drive to the South of France, crammed in the back of the car to then set up camp and enjoy the wonders of camping for 2 weeks. I had never really got into the family summer resorts as we were always keen to keep things simple.
Having arranged a few Mark Warner summer holidays this year for our clients, I was eager to see what the resorts were like and what they had to offer families of different ages. I was under the impression it is easy to tick the boxes for children, possibly leaving the adults unable to take advantage of the activities available. It was then I was invited to see just what Mark Warner was all about.
Taking the chartered BA flight from London Heathrow to Rhodes in Greece will find you by the shimmering waters of the Aegean Sea and in mid to late 20s temperatures…even in late October! Open from May until the end of October, the Mark Warner Levante Beach Resort sits in the middle of an expansive bay, halfway between Rhodes and Lindos.
The flagship property, which has been built exclusively for Mark Warner, is a low rise resort complex that gently slopes its way down to the sea. Here at the waterfront you can find a spectrum of activities to dive into such as sailing, SUPing (Stand up paddle boarding), windsurfing and kayaking to mention a few. The land activities easily match those on the waterfront; 7 full size tennis courts complete with training equipment & expert instructors able to help all ranges of ability and a fully stocked bike store offering bikes for all terrains. As a keen cyclist myself, I was particularly impressed by the excellent Cannondale bikes that Mark Warner stock. For a little extra you can even splash out on taking out a full carbon-frame bike to charge around Rhodes! The bike technicians were at hand to assist setting up and maintaining the bikes for every ride. They even suggest bringing out your own pedals, shoes and GPS systems if you are a really keen cyclist!
Over the weekend I was able to dip into the selection of sports as I pleased. The great thing is that you can be a novice or a pro in any of the activities and still get top quality equipment and guidance by the friendly Mark Warner staff; they certainly inject fun and enthusiasm into all the activities to get people of all ages engaged.
Another fantastic feature offered by Mark Warner, other than the free group lessons and clinics, are the private tuition modules, PADI scuba diving certification and the Royal Yachting Association qualifications. This enables guests to achieve a nationally recognised qualification to take away whilst enjoying their holiday.
Aside from the fantastic range of sports and activities on offer at Levante, the location of the resort allows guests to get into Rhodes and the surrounding areas of interest on the island with ease. A local bus runs from just outside the resort to transport guests to the local towns. Although we were pressed for time during our visit, guests staying longer may wish to venture out to see the sights across the island; the Acropolis at Lindos, the Old Rhodes town and the Kalithea Springs were some of the recommended highlights.
Whist the activities keep you busy from 9am until 5am (with additional activities outside these times!) the dining options do a great job of keeping up with the active holiday lifestyle. The typical board basis is half board, allowing guests to enjoy an extensive buffet restaurant. The selection ranges from cooked breakfasts to Greek yoghurt & fruit in the morning, or grilled meats and fish to enjoy in the evening. Throughout the day there is a snack bar offering light meals and sandwiches as well as the Annora, Pan Asian restaurant offering a taste of the oriental – the teriyaki chicken burger was a real treat and certainly replenished my energy levels! Full board upgrades are available at a supplement so that you can dine throughout the week in the different restaurants.
A struggle for large families can always be the room configuration; whether you have young children that require a cot or to sleep in an interconnected room, or if you are 2 large families wishing to combine holidays, Mark Warner makes it easy to solve the bedding conundrum. The rooms are simply styled giving guests lots of space to spread out, especially if staying for 2 weeks! Although they don’t come with all the bells and whistles of a top holiday resort, I feel the extra gadgets and gizmos are simply not required, as it is easy to spend just the minimum sleeping hours in the rooms. The fantastic activities on offer easily prise everyone out of their rooms.
My stay with mark Warner was a real eye opener and I can certainly see the appeal for the holiday resort. The Mark Warner Levante beach resort does a great job of encouraging children of all ages to get active and try something new and the friendly staff are brilliant! I think this is also a great option for young couples who seek an active holiday where they won’t get stung by having to pay any extra for the activities.
I just wish I could have stayed for the whole week!
email us to discuss your future Mark Warner holidays